Influenza is a highly contagious infection caused by the influenza virus. This virus spreads very quickly and can exhibit mild or severe symptoms. In a typical season, 200,000 people are hospitalized and about 36,000 die. The best prevention method is immunization with the influenza vaccine. Among healthy adults, influenza vaccine provides protection, even when circulating viruses do not exactly match the vaccine viruses.
Now, I’m sure I’ve lost many of you with the mention of “the flu shot.” I get it. You are afraid of needles. Your friends had a bad experience, and you read about the vaccine online.
However, my favorite excuse for not getting the flu vaccine is that you don’t want some chemical substance being injected into your body, yet you consume on a regular basis a product you purchased from the internet because it claimed to help you lose weight. Who knows where it came from?
But what we know for certain is that complications from flu include ear and sinus infections, pneumonia, and worsening of chronic conditions such as asthma, COPD, and congestive heart failure. Influenza also contributes to school and work absenteeism, lost wages, and disruptions in workflow due to fewer staff.
Each year hospitals are inundated with influenza and its aftermath, which then impacts the number of hospital beds available. Furthermore, hospitalized patients with influenza create risks for the other patients and staff. Lastly and most importantly, influenza vaccines are safe and have minimal side effects.
Influenza is spread via tiny droplets released when patients cough, talk or sneeze. The droplets then land in the nose or mouth of another person. It is believed that infection can also spread by touching an object then later rubbing your eyes or mouth.
Flu is different from a common cold in that symptoms generally come on strong and quickly. Symptoms include muscle aches, high fevers, chills, and fatigue. Occasionally, vomiting and diarrhea also occur. In general, patients with the flu look sick. These patients can oftentimes be identified by just walking into the room and seeing how ill they look. The flu test swab is then used to confirm the diagnosis.
Individuals with the flu are the most contagious 3-4 days after the onset of the illness. However, one day before the illness and up to five days after the illness are potential periods of contagiousness. Adults with weakened immune systems or young kids can spread the infection to others for even longer times.
In addition to the vaccine, covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze is another technique for warding off the flu. Washing hands often and wiping down common areas is also very important.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone six months and older receive a flu shot. It is generally recommended that you should receive your influenza vaccination before the end of October. However, anytime during the flu season would be ok. And, as reminder, having received a flu shot in March 2018 has nothing to do with this season. Each year there is another formulation of the vaccine.
In summary, my unsolicited advice is that you should go get your influenza vaccine and to also immunize your kids.
Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D., is an associate professor at SLUCare Family Medicine and the medical accuracy editor of The St. Louis American. Email yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com.
